Everything's not fine

Clinging to tiny joys, visa news, Paris favorites, and more.

This pretty pink lady brings me joy while I’m brushing my teeth

One of my favorite substackers, Jennifer Romolini (who also is the co-host of the superb Everything is Fine podcast), recently wrote: “Maybe like you, I’m simultaneously sad and mad and fucking annoyed and I want to run and I want to fight and I want to somehow make things right.”

Man, oh, man, Jennifer nails it every time. I think we’re all pretty much feeling like that unless you’re a deranged sociopath or a Republican. I swing between wild despair and the intense need for self-preservation, between rage and numbness.

Then, interspersed are moments of hope and light:

• A bright red cardinal that chirps happily in our yard each morning. I’m convinced it’s my mother who passed in 2009.

• A blooming cherry tree outside my bathroom window.

• Petting a neighbor’s new puppy and his patient elderly canine brother.

• Eating peanut butter pie and watching the White Lotus with my better half (it’s extra cringe-y this season).

• Singing Yacht rock ballads with friends (“Baby when I met you, there was peace unknown, I set out to get you with a fine tooth comb….”).

I’m clinging hard to the small things and to my friends, family, and community. What’s keeping you afloat these days?

Bisous,

Sacha

P.S. Clicking on the little heart at the top or bottom of each post helps people find this substack. Merci! 💖

P.P.S. There are loads more to read in the Good Vintage archive. Have a peek here.

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And we have lift off

At long last, we’ve started the long-stay visa process. We’re working with an immigration lawyer to streamline everything and keep us on track. So far, it has been relatively straightforward and has included gathering a bunch of documents like birth certificates, bank statements, and proof of lodging for three months in France.

Next up will be our meeting with the consular office, and then, once we are in France, we will have medical appointments (apparently, they still screen for tuberculosis). This is all part of our slow and steady plan to eventually live in France, which kicked off just over a year ago.

Perhaps this sweet villa on Lake Annecy? A girl can dream.

This summer, we are going to Paris, Dijon, and Rouen and are still trying to figure out the last few weeks of the trip. Along with Airbnbs and hotels, I’m looking into gîtes (self-catering holiday rentals), especially ones that offer a table d'hôte (dinner with the host family). I fantasize about breaking bread with a lovely white-haired French couple named Jacques and Manon, befriending Bertrand, their sassy Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, and embarrassing Jason with my terrible French. Impeccable!

Have you stayed at a gîte? I’d love to hear about your experiences and recommendations!

Hidden gems and old favorites in Paris

I love discovering new-to-me places and returning to old favorites in Paris. Here are a few that have made our last few trips especially memorable.

• Jardin des Plantes. Last summer, we had an epic picnic at this beautiful spot in the Latin Quarter (5th arrondisement). We picked up cheese, charcuterie, bread, wine, and dessert from Le Grand Epicerie near our apartment in the 16th, scoped out a shady spot on one of the garden’s expansive lawns, and drank and ate to our heart’s content. Next time, we will have to check out the ménagerie, home to 150 species, including many that are endangered.

• Des Gateaux et du Pain. Jason and I got two exquisite mini bûche de Noël from this woman-owned patisserie in Saint Germain des Pres on Christmas day. They were divine, and I’m eager to go back to try the Absolu Citron cake and the classic chocolate mousse cake.

• Bubbles Bliss. A cozy new women-owned Champagne bar in the 6th that specializes in small producers. It is one of the few places where you can find ultra-luxury brands by the glass and elegant small bites.

• Museé de Montmartre. We had lunch in the garden there with my friend and fellow Francophile,

  Kimberly Wilson
  , and then wandered through the petite museum, a real gem on a quiet street in Montmartre.

• Rose Bakery Maison de Balzac. Located on a quiet street in the 16th, this sweet little café is the perfect spot to spend a quiet afternoon reading and enjoying a wonderful view of the Eiffel Tower. It’s adjacent to the Maison de Balzac, a museum dedicated to the legendary novelist and playwright.

• Le Bar 1905. Make your way to this tiny speakeasy above Aux Vins Des Pyrénées for Roaring Twenties vibes, strong cocktails and nightly jazz. Reservations strongly encouraged.

• Bread & Roses. A few blocks from the Luxembourg Gardens, this café and artisanal bakery has everything you need for a picnic al fresco. A bit pricey but worth it.

Ready to go?

In case you missed it in an earlier post, I’m re-sharing some invaluable expat resources from French Faves (usually for paid subscribers only) so you have a solid place to start if you’re thinking about getting out of Dodge (or is it Doge?).

• VISA Application Guidelines: Learn what you need to apply for different types of Visas. Frankly, I’m still confused and trying to figure it all out.

• Alliance Française in the U.S. There are 100+ chapters in the United States where you can take French classes and attend cultural events. Based on experience, the French classes are very traditional (a lot of grammar!), so it may not be ideal for learning to speak “travel French.”

• Clever Expat. This company “helps expats and future expats thrive in their new destinations.” Clever Expat equips you with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the unique challenges and opportunities of living outside your home country through curated content, information resources, and informative courses.

• Preply. An online language learning platform that connects you directly with language tutors.

• Daniel Tostado. Daniel, an American-born French immigration lawyer, and his team are highly regarded for their in-depth knowledge of the French visa process.

• Treneer Consulting. From navigating French admin to unlocking business opportunities, they help make your life in France work for you.

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